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Patented Aug. 3U, |898.

K. ABEL.

T A B L E.

(Application med oct. 1e, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT GFFTCE..

KARL ABEL, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,'7-65, dated August 30, 1898. Application tiled October 16, 189 '7. Serial No. 655,408. (No model.) latented in Germany November 11,1896,No. 94,580.

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, KARL ABEL,l doctor of medicine, a subject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, residing at Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tables, (patented in Germany November 1l, 1896, No. 94,580,) of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to a table which can be folded together in such a manner as to be capable of being easily carried by means of a shawl-strap or the like.

The new table is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figure l being a side elevation showing it folded up and held together by a shawl-strap; Fig. 2, a plan; Fig. 3, a section according to the line or a", of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4. an end elevation.

The main components of the table are two hollow longitudinal rods a, which are connected together by means of transverse rods b and rest on four legs e. The transverse rods b are hinged to the longitudinal rods, and each of them consists of two halves which are connected in the middle by means of a movable joint. Over each of the joints there is slipped, when the table is erected, a sleeve c, which then keeps the transverse rods ZJ extended. To the lower part of the sleeve c there are pivoted by means of a stud-like projection struts d, on whose ends are collars adapted to clasp the legs of the table and to be fastened by means of screws or other devices. These struts riserve to insure the stability of the table. The legs c are screwed into suitable lugs on the longitudinal rods d. At the lowermost ends of the legs are provided plugs f, of rubber or other material, which prevent the table from slipping during use and also close the longitudinal rods a when the table-frame has been collapsed or folded and the legs c have been slipped Within the longitudinal rods for transport. On one of the longitudinal rods a there is held by means of hooks h, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, a cover, of waterproof canvas or the like, which can be laid over the table and stretched, there being provided at the edges of the cloth perforated straps dior the like adapted to be passed upon knobs secured on the second longitudinal roda and on the end rods b.

y light as possible.

are of such a width that the table-legs ewhen The several parts of the table are preferably hollow and made of light metal or other material in order that the weight may be as The longitudinal rods c1,

they are loosened can be pushed into them. For this purpose one table-leg is pushed or telescoped into another, and then these two are inserted into one of the longitudinal rods @,'so that in each longitudinal rod there will be two legs e.

The table is folded up and erected in the following manner: If the table is erected as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and is to be folded up for transport, the cover g is first of all unfastened. Then the collars on the struts d are loosened and the legs e screwed off. The sleeve c is now slightly rotated and pushed sidewise and the end rods b folded together, which brings the longitudinal rods a close together, between them being the rods b and the struts d. After the legs e have been pushed into the hollow longitudinal rods a, so that only the rubber plugs project and close the longitudinal rods, the cover g is wrapped around and strapped up by means of a shawlstrap or the like. Thus strapped together the table possesses a perfectly good appearance, has altogether only a weight of a few pounds,and is extremely convenient for transport. In consequence of this the table is-particularly adapted for use as an operating-table and will undoubtedly be of good service to physicians, who are frequently required to perform operations on a totally-inadequate support. It will also avoid the occupation of a comparatively large space in the consult ing-room, which is required by the hithertoused rigid types. In consequence of this it is also, independently of the circumstances of space, preferably to be employed as an examination chair or couch for doctors for the diseases of women and other purposes. Further, its great portability renders it very advantageous for use as an operating-table for military field-hospitals and as a stretcher forl use in war. The dimensions of the table are such as to allow 'of its being conveniently placed in a cab. V

The erection of the table is el'ected as follows: The shawl-strap is undone, the cover is unrolled, and it is then fastened without ten- IOO sion to thev oppositely-situated longitudinal rods a. 'Then the legs of the table are drawn out of the longitudinal rods 0L and the transverse rods h are stretched'out, so that the longitudinal rods a are moved away from each other and automatically stretch the cover. The sleeve c is then by gentle turning slipped over the joint, and the struts CZ are fixed to the legs by means of the collars. The table is nowquite ready for use as an operating-table or the like.

While the form of construction shown in the drawings is intended more particularly for use as an operating-table for gynaecological purposes, &c., in which the thighs of the person operated on are strapped to the oppositelysituated table legs, the table may equally well be used for surgical operations, since for this purpose the .table can be eX- tended to any desired or necessary length. The table can also be readily converted into a stretcher or litter by inserting the legs into the longitudinal rods a and allowing them to project out therefrom to such an eXtent that they can be used as handles.

I claiml. In a table or the like, the combination of the cover and collapsible frame, comprising side rods, legs, transverse connecting-rods pivoted to the side rods and to each other, means for preventing movement of said transverse rods relative to each other, and pivoted struts supported upon the transverse rods provided at their free ends with clamps adapted to embrace the legs of the table, substantially as described.

2. In a table or the like, the combination of the cover and collapsible frame comprising side rods, transverse connecting-rods pivoted to the side rods and to each other, supporting legs and struts pivotally connected to the transverse rods and adapted to be connected to and disconnected from the supporting-legs, substantially as described.

3. In a table or the like, the combination of a cover,a collapsible frame comprising in part,

a hollow rod, legs of less diameter than the chambers of the hollow frame-rod adapted to be attached to and detached from the frame and to be received into the chamber of the hollow frame-rod, said legs being provided with plugs adapted to fit and close the open ends of the said hollow rod, substantially as described.v

4. In a table or the like, the combination of a cover, aframe formed with hollow members, detachable hollow supporting -legs for the frame, said legs being of different diameters and the legs of smallest diameter being adapted'to be received into the chambers of those of larger diameter, and the legs of greatest diameter being adapted to be received into the chambers of the hollow frame-rods, sub stantially as described.

5. In a table or the like, the combination of the frame and a detachable cover therefor, said frame comprising longitudinal side rods, supporting-legs, transverse connecting-rods pivoted to the side rods and to each other, a

` sleeve longitudinally movable upon the cons.

necting-rods and adapted to surround the connected ends thereof, and struts pivotally porting-legs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

v KARL ABEL.

Witnesses:

ZIMMERMANN, GUsTAv HLSMANN.

f supported upon the sleeve and adapted to be Aconnected and disconnected with the sup- 

